Penticton cat hoarder is back; B.C. SPCA dealing with another large intake

PENTICTON – SPCA shelters in Penticton and Kelowna are being deluged with cats, just days after the Penticton branch divested itself of a previous intake of over 100 felines.

SPCA spokesperson Lorie Chortyk said in a media release 30 cats were brought to the care of the Penticton and Kelowna branches from the same cat hoarder who surrendered 111 cats at Penticton shelter in October, 2018. The last cat from that intake was just adopted a few days ago.

The same person also surrendered 53 cats to the agency in 2016 and 2017, totalling 194 cats in all, Chortyk said.

“It’s extremely challenging dealing with hoarders because unless they get the help they need, the same issues arise again and again, and the animals suffer as a result,” she said.

The Penticton branch is caring for 18 of the cats with 12 going to the Kelowna shelter.The cats are suffering from upper respiratory infections and are also fearful, requiring behaviour modification and rehabilitation before being put up for adoption.

“Most of the cats are six months or younger, so we’re hoping they will respond to the veterinary treatment and rehabilitation. Caring for large number of animals places an enormous strain on the resources on local branches, so we would be grateful for any support to offset these costs,” Chortyk says.

If you are able to help visit the B.C. SPCA website here.

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